Reply to "Questions: Indicator Lights and 3G Alt wiring!"

Steve, the 'wagging needle' on your amp gauge has been a problem since the Pantera rolled out of Modena. Cause is supposedly because 100.0% of the alt's charge goes thru the gauge. To eliminate excess movement, fashion a shunt directly across the gauge posts and hook up as before. What will happen is, a proportion of the charge amperage will bypass the gauge thru the shunt- the amount depending on the physical size of the shunt. I have one made of .060 brass shim stock on our car, and I've made a couple from 10 ga stranded wire. Insulate the shunt with shrink-tubing before bolting it in, and be SURE the nuts are tight! As I said, ALL the charge from the alt is going thru that wiring and some in a hurry or with no mechanical skills have had console fires here.

After adding the shunt (any size), the gauge needle will read low but will be stable. Accuracy? Questionable even in stock form; how do you read a needle that's thrashing around? Most owners are satisfied that the needle moves toward + and doesn't shake, not exactly how much it moves. Think of the amp gauge as a moveable idiot light.